Hammers looking at Real Madrid forward

West Ham are reportedly looking at Real Madrid youngster Jese Rodriguez as a potential replacement for Andy Carroll should the big man leave in the January transfer window, according to the Metro.

Andy Carroll is expected to leave as long as the right bid comes in. The Hammers are hoping for around £18 million in order to gain the money back they spent on the soon to be 27 year-old.

The replacement being talked about is Jese Rodriguez, a rather forgotten man at Los Blancos. The young Spaniard can play up front or on the wing and was set for big things at the Bernabeu. However an injury in 2014 ruled him out for a season and he has struggled to get back in the first team. Hardly surprising with players like Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, James Rodriguez and Isco to contest with.

Rodriguez certainly has quality, there is no doubt about that and he could fit perfectly into the team along with flair players such as Lanzini and Dimitri Payet. West Ham would provide a perfect place for him to achieve his potential especially with the Olympic Stadium on the horizon.

This deal will only have a chance of going ahead if Andy Carroll is sold because West Ham do not want to get fined for breaching financial fair play rules. It also remains to be seen whether new Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane would be willing to sell before he has had a chance to evaluate his squad.